Job Description
Program Director - General Purpose Frigate
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About the Opportunity
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As Program Director for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you will act as the primary client interface for the General Purpose Frigate Program. Working alongside the existing leadership structure, you will lead a multi-disciplinary team through the Design Assurance and Build phases of the program
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About Austal
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Austal isAustralia's global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world's leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.
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Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We're driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.
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This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.
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What's Involved
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Act as the primary interface with the client, supporting contract negotiations and maintaining strong, cooperative relationships with key stakeholders including the Commonwealth, MHI, ATLA, and suppliers
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Lead the successful delivery of the General Purpose Frigate (GPF) Program, ensuring outcomes are achieved safely, on time, within budget, and to required quality standards
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Oversee contract performance, ensuring all deliverables, milesstones, KPIs, and reporting requirements are met or exceeded
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Manage program financials, including cost estimation, budgeting, forecasting, and achieving agreed financial performance targets
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Establish and maintain effective risk management and governance frameworks, ensuring risks are mitigated and opportunities are identified
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Drive the development and implementation of program strategies, including onshoring, build strategy, and incorporation of international best practices and lessons learned
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Ensure the transfer and management of technical data, intellectual property, and capability knowledge to support a robust technical baseline
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Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary teams, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture aligned with organisational objectives
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You'll Need
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10+ years experience in a Shipbuilding Leadership role within a Defence Program of similar complexity
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Experience in leading a dispersed Shipbuilding build strategy
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Strong management skills and team building capability
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A thorough understanding of CASG contract mechanisms
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Excellent influencing skills
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Effective communication skills, and proven stakeholder management ability
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Program, Business or Engineering Degree
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Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance
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Why Join Us?
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Competitive compensation and benefits package.
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Professional development and training opportunities.
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A supportive and dynamic work environment.
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Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.
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At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

📌 Program Director - General Purpose Frigate (Western Australia)
🏢 Austal-7
📍 Western Australia